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Founder of cat shelter faces animal cruelty charges
Updated: Thu Mar. 26 2009 16:17:03

Jeremy Stothers, ctvbc.ca

The founder of Richmond cat shelter Forgotten Felines is facing animal cruelty charges following a search by the BC SPCA last October.

Penny March started the shelter nine years ago with a "no kill policy," and has faced over-crowding of the shelter, which she runs out of her home.

March was not aware of the charges against her, but plans to fight them.

"I've devoted my life to this and I've financially ruined myself for this," said March. "We're not going to let animals suffer."

However, the SPCA staff and veterinarians who searched her property found the scene "appalling," with some cats extremely sick, dehydrated and--in two cases--dead and decomposing, according to Eileen Drever, senior animal protection officer at the SPCA.

"I'm really sad it's come down to this," Drever said.

The animal cruelty charge leveled against March carries a penalty of up to six months in prison, a $5,000 fine and/or prohibition from owning animals in the future.

"I'm hoping for the third one," said Drever.

The SPCA removed 51 cats that were in distress, five newborn kittens died soon after and eight cats were euthanized. About 250 cats were left on the property.

But advocates for Forgotten Felines say that it is a compassionate organization.

Barbara Yaffe, a Vancouver Sun columnist, has volunteered at the shelter and continues to financially support it.

"The very nature of no-kill means that you're going to be over-crowded," said Yaffe.

"The SPCA should be helping her, not laying charges against her," she said. "We should all be working on the same team to be merciful to cats."

There are 10-15 volunteers who have keys to the shelter and check conditions regularly. The October raid followed a complaint from one volunteer.